-why and how business models in Zimbabwe collude to make us suffer!
By Aaron Gono
Liz Truss’s government at 10 Downing Street, both with Kwasi Kwarteng as the Ex- Chequer was the shortest lived in British history. Within 44 days Liz Truss resigned from her post of Prime Minister due to mis-guided tax cuts implemented by her regime. The British economy began a recession which its citizens decried. The two, Liz and Kwasi, were excited by power, and assumed they can do whatever they may deem necessary with the economy. The move caused the pound to lose value, and to real entrepreneurs and industrialists in Zimbabwe, this serves as a case study of wrongly implemented policies.
In late November 2025, Zimbabwe as a whole experienced cement shortages, till today the shortage is being felt in every community. Many construction companies had to close earlier due to this shortages. Anyway reasons for justifying that shortage were multi- pronged; electricity outages and closure of manufacturing plants for maintenance were given as causatives. But we had electricity issues for years but the cement supply chain, never suffered a dent. Closure of manufacturing plants for maintenance must not be entertained because this was supposed to be planned before.
Tongaat Huletts which comprises of Hippo Valley Estates and Triangle also face those electricity outages and annual closures for maintenance; but the country had never experienced sugar shortages. The Zimbabwean government always tries to protect its industries. But alas those industrialists are driven by greediness. I remember some years ago when the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe was responsible for sharing the scarce foreign currency to deserving companies in the country.
A certain beverage manufacturing company kept nagging the central bank for not giving it enough currency to cover its operations. Soft drinks became scarce and Zimbabweans had to trek to Musina, South Africa and Manica in Mozambique to buy them. And Pepsi Cola noticed an opportunity. Now Pepsi has a big chunk of the market in Zimbabwe. I am not saying that the beverage company colluded to create this artificial shortage. But the hallmarks of profiteering were all there for lazy pen-pushers to make a story.
In Zimbabwe, shortages used to be created in cooking oil producing companies, sugar, bread, etc. Now this cement shortage in the country is what Zimbabweans are used to during every festive season, bread, beer, etc has to be in short supply. It’s an annual ritual but don’t mistake it as no premeditated. The manufacturer gives selective oligarchies who run most businesses in Zimbabwe all their stock. Then the wholesalers choose few down town shops to supply a perceived short commodity.
Then the downtown entrepreneurs will re-sell that perceived short commodity for a killing. That is what is called “collusion” ; it is done by two or more parties to limit competition, manipulate markets or scam consumers. It takes two to tango, “companies work together to fix prices, limit supply, and maximize profits.” In Zimbabwe price fixing is the type of collusion which always punishes its citizens. From cement to beer, now a quart of beer costs US$2, in many beer outlets in Masvingo.
It’s unfortunate what is also causing a short fall of brown bottles (castle, and black label). Maybe also Delta is also on shut down, fixing its machines or ZESA is to blame, as it has become the norm in all mediocre business set-ups. Increased prices for scarce products, make Zimbabweans enjoy a poor quality life. Cement is now being priced between $18 and $20 depending on location.
This is just sheer madness, run and imposed on by primitive business persons to amass wealthy. Zimbabweans are presumed to enjoy a middle-income status by 2030.
This cannot be achieved with the mindsets of oligarchs who own all means of production. Collusion brings short term benefits to the businesses or individuals involved but it won’t sustain them forever because these guys lack innovation. The economy and people of Zimbabwe are suffering. These colluders must face heavy fines or their licences withdrawn forever. Zimbabweans must not continue because of bad behaviours of a few bad apples.
For how long should we continue to suffer at the mercy of unscrupulous businesspeople?
